Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has urged citizens to engage actively in the upcoming local government elections scheduled for November 27, 2024. She emphasized the elections’ importance as a precursor to the general elections planned for 2025.
President Samia made her appeal on October 10, 2024, during the finale of the 2024 National Uhuru Torch Race and the launch of a book detailing the history of the Uhuru Torch.
She encouraged the public to view these civic elections as a crucial chance to enhance democracy and encourage community involvement. “As the youth express, ‘we should not take it lightly.’ This election is as significant as any other, offering a preview of what to expect in next year’s general elections. Therefore, I call on all eligible citizens to participate actively in this vital electoral process,” she stated.
The President also highlighted the importance of differentiating between the voter list used for local elections and the permanent voter register for the general election. “I urge everyone to register in their local areas for the upcoming elections, as this demonstrates public engagement in regional development and community-level economic activities,” she noted.
Furthermore, the Head of State pointed out the rationale behind the creation of administrative structures at various levels, including regional, district, town, and village levels. She stated that these frameworks aim to decentralize power and enhance public participation in decision-making, thereby fostering self-governance.
In addition to these electoral matters, she addressed the rising concerns regarding pollution both in Tanzania and globally, linking environmental degradation to climate change. She cited issues such as irregular rainfall, droughts, and extreme weather events as challenges impacting citizens.
Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister (Labour, Youth, Employment, and Disabled Persons), Ridhiwan Kikwete, reported that the Uhuru Torch had covered over 37,235 km across 31 regions and 195 councils within 195 days, led by six youth participants from Zanzibar, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, and Dar es Salaam.
The race contributed to the planting of over 150 million trees and the inspection of 1,595 projects valued at 11 trillion shillings, a significant increase from the previous year. Kikwete also mentioned that 16 projects, totaling 8.6 billion shillings, were flagged for issues and referred to the Anti-Corruption Bureau for further investigation.
During her visit, President Samia attended a memorial marking the 25th anniversary of the late Mwalimu J.K. Nyerere’s death, toured Youth Week exhibitions at Furahisha grounds, and launched a new book on the Philosophy of the Uhuru Torch, authored by Job Lusinde and edited by Dr. Bashiru Ally.